Trump's Republican Strong Approval Falls to 41% as Overall Rating Hits 36% NBC Low
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 5
Trump's Republican Strong Approval Falls to 41% as Overall Rating Hits 36% NBC Low
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Sep 5
Summary
NBC's Aug. 20-Sept. 1 poll found 41% of Republicans now strongly approve of Trump's job performance, down from 52% in March-April, while overall approval fell to 36%, a record low for this term.
39% of Republicans now somewhat approve, up from 31%, suggesting softer support inside his party less than two months before the November midterms.
7,105 adults were surveyed online with a 3.3-point margin of error as economic fears and uncertainty over the Iran war weigh on public sentiment.
Trump has still predicted Republicans will "do very well," and he and Vice President JD Vance are expected in Dallas next week to rally voters at a rare GOP midterm convention.
Can the record-breaking economic windfall from the 250th anniversary events permanently revive the capital's struggling tourism sector?
How will the transformation of historic monuments into commercial sports venues reshape the future of national celebrations?
America at 250: How the 2026 Semiquincentennial Deepened Division, Shaped the Midterms, and Redefined Patriotism
Overview
The 2026 Semiquincentennial celebrations, marked by the Trump administration’s intense politicization and controversial Freedom 250 initiative, triggered a cascade of scandals and public backlash. As economic anxieties and the high cost of living frustrated voters, President Trump’s approval ratings plummeted, and moderate voters were alienated by overtly partisan and Christian nationalist programming. High-profile artists and several states withdrew from national events, deepening division. These controversies severely damaged the administration’s credibility ahead of the midterms, giving Democrats a clear lead in polls and prediction markets. Ultimately, the milestone failed to unite the nation, instead deepening polarization and eroding civic trust.